Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods that allow the manipulation of the catalytic activity of multi-component nucleic acid complexes. Further, the invention provides methods which use these compositions and methods to create molecular sensors, molecular switches, and/or modulators or propagators of autocatalytic self-replicating cascades and other iterative processes. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions allowing self-assembly of active and inactive multicomponent nucleic acid complexes, methods of making such compositions, and methods for use.

Abstract: Mutations in K-ras, N-ras, and H-ras were determined using target specific primers and probes in REMS-PCR methods, nested PCR methods employing a restriction endonuclease, and REMS-PCR methods using molecular beacons.

Abstract: This application provides methods of detecting and quantitatively determining a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, which comprise contacting the sample with a primer and a zymogene which encodes, but which itself is the anti-sense sequence of, a catalytic nucleic acid sequence, so that when the target is present, a single amplified nucleic acid molecule is produced which comprises the sequences of both the target and catalytic molecules. This invention further provides a method of simultaneously detecting the presence of a plurality of target nucleic acid sequences in a sample. Finally, this invention provides molecules and kits for practicing the instant methods.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and kits useful for determining whether a subject is afflicted with a disorder characterized by the presence of one or more known nucleic acid mutations. The instant methods comprise steps of nucleic acid molecule isolation, amplification, contact with one or more catalytic nucleic acid molecules specifically cleaving a target sequence present either in the case of disorder or wild-type, but not both, and determining cleavage of the amplified segment(s).

Abstract: This application provides methods of detecting and quantitatively determining a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, which comprise contacting the sample with a primer and a zymogene which encodes, but which itself is the anti-sense sequence of, a catalytic nucleic acid sequence, so that when the target is present, a single amplified nucleic acid molecule is produced which comprises the sequences of both the target and catalytic molecules. This invention further provides a method of simultaneously detecting the presence of a plurality of target nucleic acid sequences in a sample. Finally, this invention provides molecules and kits for practicing the instant methods.

Abstract: This application provides methods of detecting and quantitatively determining a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, which comprise contacting the sample with a primer and a zymogene which encodes, but which itself is the anti-sense sequence of, a catalytic nucleic acid sequence, so that when the target is present, a single amplified nucleic acid molecule is produced which comprises the sequences of both the target and catalytic molecules. This invention further provides a method of simultaneously detecting the presence of a plurality of target nucleic acid sequences in a sample. Finally, this invention provides molecules and kits for practicing the instant methods.

Abstract: This application provides methods of detecting and quantitatively determining a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, which comprise contacting the sample with a primer and a zymogene which encodes, but which itself is the anti-sense sequence of, a catalytic nucleic acid sequence, so that when the target is present, a single amplified nucleic acid molecule is produced which comprises the sequences of both the target and catalytic molecules. This invention further provides a method of simultaneously detecting the presence of a plurality of target nucleic acid sequences in a sample. Finally, this invention provides molecules and kits for practicing the instant methods.